Our work across the North Shore.

Case studies and finished projects from Highland Park and Lake County. Every photo is our own completed work.

Case Study · Highland Park

Entry Bed Renovation

Highland Park entry bed before renovation, weeds covering the flagstone walk

The same entry after renovation, black mulch, boxwood, hydrangeas

BeforeAfter

A full season of weeds had covered these beds and most of the flagstone walk. We cleared everything down to clean soil, recut the bed lines, and replanted with boxwood and hydrangeas. Finished with black mulch.

Wider before view, weeds at the door — Before

Wider after view, finished beds and fresh edge — After

Case Study · Highland Park

Front Yard Refresh

The lawn was healthy but the details had been let go. Weeds filled the tree rings, the bed lines had gone soft, and the shrubs were overgrown. We recut the rings, cleared and mulched every bed, and trimmed the shrubs back into shape.

Before, weed-filled tree ring and bare beds — Before

After, mulched ring, dressed beds, shaped shrubs — After

Case Study · Lake County

Exterior Soft Wash

Years of algae had turned the white siding green-grey. We soft washed the siding, brick, and trim. No damage to the paint or the plants below.

Before, algae staining on upper siding — Before

After, uniformly clean white siding — After

Case Study · Hardscape

Paver Patio & Inlay Steps

A full paver patio with a contrasting double border and custom inlay steps. We excavated and compacted the base so it holds up through freeze-thaw, then laid new sod up to the patio edge.

Backyard lawn marked with orange layout paint before paver patio installation — Before: layout marked

Finished paver patio with dark double border replacing the lawn — After

Custom paver steps with geometric inlay and fresh sod at patio edge — Inlay steps and new sod, up close

Front yard graded to bare soil with first rows of fresh sod being laid — Sod day: graded first, then rolled out

Case Study · Hardscape

Fire-Pit Patio & Retaining Wall

The back lawn was sloped and plain. We cut the grade, built a curved block retaining wall, compacted a full gravel base, and laid a circular paver patio sized for a fire pit. The construction photos show the base work. That's what keeps it from shifting.

Plain sloped back lawn in front of porch before patio construction — Before

Finished circular paver patio with fire pit and mulched planting beds — After

Excavated yard with compacted gravel base and retaining wall started — The base: excavated and compacted

Curved block retaining wall built and backfilled during construction — The wall: curved, level, backfilled

Case Study · Hardscape

Walkway & Side Patio

The old backyard path and the cluttered side yard were rebuilt as one connected route. A paver walkway now runs from the sidewalk to the door and continues along the foundation into a side patio. The beds were stripped and prepped for replanting.

Old weedy round-paver path through patchy backyard before renovation — Before

New paver walkway through freshly prepared planting beds — After

Weedy side yard with hoses and clutter along the foundation before work — Side yard, before

Paver side patio and walkway installed along the foundation — Side yard, after

Case Study · Beds & Mulch

Bed Renovation in Red

Stripped to clean soil, re-edged along the cobblestone border, and finished in red mulch. The shrubs were trimmed and given room. Same bed, one visit apart.